A bill that requires Apple and Alphabet's Google to verify the age of users of their app stores could become law this week in Texas, putting the second-most-populous state in the U.S. at the center of a debate over whether and how to regulate the use of smartphones by children and teenagers.

The move puts the state at the center of a debate over whether and how to regulate smartphone use by children and teenagers.

SB2420 requires app stores to verify users' ages and seek parental consent before letting minors download apps or make in-app purchases. Utah passed similar legislation in March.